The Hottest Superfoods to Hit the Market
Each year there seems to be a new batch of so-called "super foods" that our touted at your local health food store and juice bar. In general, a healthy diet is a plate filled primarily with fruits and vegetables, and also the best way to achieve your daily intake of vitamins and minerals. Enter superfoods, foods that are nutritionally dense and loaded with a high dose of vitamins and minerals. The superfood craze may be more of a marketing term for foods that have health benefits, there is no actual legal or medical definition, and these trendy foods can also bring a hefty price tag.
Here are some of the latest superfood trends you've likely seen sprinkled throughout the health food aisle. Move over goji berries and chia seeds, there's a new kid in town:
1. Black Currants
Unless you live in Europe, it's not likely that you've heard much about black currants, because these tart berries where once deemed a "forbidden fruit," in the US. There is a reason for this mystery, the black currant has an interesting history you can read about here. Rich in antioxidants, black currants are naturally very tart and often sold as a juice or jam with some type of added sweetness, such as honey or stevia.
These nutrient-packed berries have high levels of Vitamin C, Iron and B-vitamins and tout a long list of health benefits. They can help strength your immune system, aid in muscle recovery, performance and fat burning.
Black Currant Juice (Buy at Whole Foods) and I recently tried Black Currant Clearly Kombucha and found it quite tasty .
2. Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is the pigment in green plants that transfer light into energy (of course you remember this from science class, right?). It isn't just helpful for plants, it's also packed with vitamins A, C, E, K, and minerals that may help your health, skin, and weight loss.
Juice bars will charge you extra for a scoop to add to your smoothie. I bought the powder form at GNC and sprinkled on my acai bowl (back when those were the hottest health food trend).
3. Watermelon Seeds
I could eat watermelon all year round, and now thanks to this new seed craze, I can get my fix even when the juicy melon is out of season. Remember when the seedless watermelon replaced the traditional black-seeded melon? Well... the seeds are making a comeback, but in a different way. As it turns out, these little black seeds are packed with protein. In fact, the seeds are now being used as a vegan protein replacement in energy bars. Go Raw's Grow Protein bars have around 15g of protein per serving. Expect to see juice bars and other companies jumping on board with this hot little ingredient.
4. Purple Veggies
Purple is the new green and it isn't just for cabbage anymore. You've likely noticed an increasingly popular crop of purple veggies, including kale, carrots, asparagus, potatoes and cauliflower. These purple beauties bring color to the table and they also contain anthocyanins, the antioxidants found in blueberries which gives them their rich color.
5. MCT Oil
Remember when your friend told you to put butter in your coffee? The secret ingredient in Bullet Proof Coffee is their coined Brain Octane (a type of MCT) that makes the drink much more than your average latte. Medium-chain triglycerides, or MCTs are fatty acids found in foods you probably already eat, such as coconut and palm oils and dairy products like cheese and yogurt. The big health craze is to bottle these fats into a concentrated form, called MCT oil, which you can find at your local health-food store. When used in moderation these healthy fats can suppress hunger, give you lasting energy and mental clarity.
Bargain Shopper: Superfoods You Can Grow At Home
The good news is, many of the best super foods can be grown at home, or easily found at your local grocery store. Blueberries, tomatoes, salmon, kale and acai are just a few examples of foods that have garnered the "superfood" label. Read about these top superfoods and what makes them so "super" here on Health.com.